Just want to make sure that Lakemaster will work in my 798ci si combo? I see on the list 798c si and 798ci si hd combo.

Yes it will work with any of the 798c, 798ci and 798ci HD models which is all they have built.

So I do not need the transducer hooked up and I can run my unit in simulator mode and still be able to restore default settings and install new software into the unit? All I need is to be able to power it on,,, correct?

Yes, that's it.

I am wanting to glue the transducer into the hull in the bilge of my 185 SeaRay, but I cannot find a flat/level surface, only slightly angled surface. Any suggestions? Thanks.

IF your SeaRay hull is thin and single layered, there is a dual frequency 2D transducer shoot-thru with angled face that is made for hull shapes like yours.
XAP 9 20

You have to verify the angles involved to see if they match.

On a Humminbird 997 does it make a difference which slot the map chip goes in ?

My new 597ci hd is coming on by itself and when I shut it down, it doesn't shut down all the way. The buttons stay lit and the screen is faintly visible(?). This is a brand new unit. It had been running fine when I tested it on the boat and in the house (I do have a 3amp fuse at both locations). Yesterday I did down load and install the new update and it took it fine. Then I tried to put my SD card in with waypoints but they never showed and I could not find them on the unit (They show up on my 798). Shortly afterwards is when the trouble started. HELP!!!

I have my 597 wired to the fused power block under the dash and can be used with the ignition key in the off position. However, if the 597 is on when I start the boat motor, the 597 goes off and I have to restart it. Am I doing something wrong?

You should probably shut the unit down before you crank the motor.

Your issue is low voltage for the unit when starting the gas motor.
You could have one or several issues.
1. Battery too weak to handle the multiple loads (too small, going bad, or not completely charged).
2. Corroded or battery terminals not tight
3. Boat wiring harness has too much resistance to supply the correct voltage to the unit when another load is on the battery.

What you are experiencing is why it is recommended that the unit be wired directly to the battery. At least you would know if it was the battery.

No, Steve it doesn't make any difference.
I use the left card slot the map cards and I do that because I can get a better grip on the card in the right slot which is were I have my card for screen shots/recordings--I remove that one often.

What are the pro's and con's of using silicone calk vs epoxy to glue transducer into bilge of boat. Will silicone work?

Wayne, thanks for the response. Reason for the question is my boat set for 5 weeks. Prior to that I had the cards in and out. When I got on the water the other day the map wouldn't come up. The screen said it was loading charts. I waited a fairly long time and the map never did come up. I powered the unit down and back on but it didn't change anything. Next I powered it down and switched slots for the map chip and the recording chip and it began to display the map properly when I powered it back up. Never had this issue before so I was wondering if the slot made any difference. I didn't think it did but I have no explanation for the issue.

DO NOT USE SILICONE! IT will not work and absorbs sonar signal! use only slow cure Epoxy. I recommend using the epxoy Humminbird supplies with their transducers. It's super slow cure and reduces chances of capturing air bubbles in the epxoy.

You can exhange transducers with Humminbird if the transducer in new and never been used or installed. Call Customer Service to get RA.